Karhedron Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 Can anyone suggest a good brush on matt varnish that is water soluble please? I normally finish my models with Testors Dullcote which is great but tends to dull metallics. I am working on some Sanguinary Guard and I have used a satin varnish to preserve the lustre of the gold armour but I would like to brush some matt onto the non-metallic areas to dull them down. I have tried GW Stormshield but it is very thick and gloopy. Does anyone have suggestions for something that flows a bit more smoothly and gives a better finish? I am considering Testors brush-on but with kids in the house, I prefer water-based paints rather than having to clean the brushes with solvents. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
kabaakaba Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 (edited) I use Vallejo Acrylic Matt varnish. It's have fine finish, ain't frost matt but gives good result. Here is very gloss surface and patch coated with 1 layer of varnish in middle I can say how it's work with metallics but with a single coat it's doesn't diminished NMM metals. With 3 layers I was forced to reapply top highlights Edited July 14 by kabaakaba Firedrake Cordova 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179414 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted July 14 Author Share Posted July 14 2 hours ago, kabaakaba said: I can say how it's work with metallics but with a single coat it's doesn't diminished NMM metals. With 3 layers I was forced to reapply top highlights That looks promising. I am not worried about how it goes on metallics as I can brush it on just the areas I want to matt down and avoid the metallic areas. Hence the desire for a brush varnish rather than an aerosol. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowland Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 (edited) I really like Army painter anti-shine. If I can be bothered I use Satin varnish on everything then gloss on the eye lenses and so on and anti shine on the fabrics. It flows really well. Edited July 14 by Rowland Karhedron and Firedrake Cordova 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179425 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kabaakaba Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 1 hour ago, Karhedron said: That looks promising. I am not worried about how it goes on metallics as I can brush it on just the areas I want to matt down and avoid the metallic areas. Hence the desire for a brush varnish rather than an aerosol. I'm switched to on brush varnish and primer also Vallejo. It's work great and I don't care about weather anymore Karhedron 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179428 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firedrake Cordova Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 I've seen people (e.g. Duncan Rhodes) really rate the AK Interactive varnishes, although I can't confirm as I only have the Vallejo ones. Depending on the varnish, you might find you want to thin it a little, against the instructions. Karhedron and WBRBloom 1 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179429 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted July 14 Author Share Posted July 14 1 hour ago, Rowland said: I really like Army painter anti-shine. If I can be bothered I use Satin varnish on everything then gloss on the eye lenses and so on and anti shine on the fabrics. It flows really well. I can only see the spray can or the airbrush formulation. Do you use the airbrush stuff and simply apply it with a paint brush? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179431 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Eye Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 I've been using Gaahleri's Kaleido matt varnish through my airbrush and it's very nice; I haven't tried hand-applying it yet, but I'll give it a shot and report back. It's completely water-based so it should be fine though. Firedrake Cordova 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179452 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowland Posted July 14 Share Posted July 14 4 hours ago, Karhedron said: I can only see the spray can or the airbrush formulation. Do you use the airbrush stuff and simply apply it with a paint brush? Looks like I have some old bottles. Personally I would water it down with airbrush medium anyway. I also use their air range and it goes/brushes on great without any additional water (just damp the brush). Firedrake Cordova 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179457 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBRBloom Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 On 7/14/2026 at 2:10 PM, Firedrake Cordova said: I've seen people (e.g. Duncan Rhodes) really rate the AK Interactive varnishes, although I can't confirm as I only have the Vallejo ones. Depending on the varnish, you might find you want to thin it a little, against the instructions. I'll second that. I've been using Duncan Rhodes' recipe for brush on varnish, which is 1:1 AK Ultra Matte Varnish with Lahmian Medium, and works perfect every time. There were cases that I was overzealous, making the model a bit frosty, but since I only use it on tabletop models I'm not really bothered. Fun fact, this mix works PERFECTLY on bases. Karhedron and Firedrake Cordova 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179535 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted July 15 Author Share Posted July 15 Thanks very much everyone. I can confirm that equal parts Lahmian Medium and AK Ultra Matt gave exactly the finish I was looking for! Firedrake Cordova, Evil Eye and WBRBloom 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/388242-brush-on-matt-varnish-suggestion/#findComment-6179606 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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